The Malibu uses a modified Voltec drive system, but with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine in place of the Volt's 1.5-liter engine, and a much smaller, 1.5-kilowatt-hour, lithium-ion battery pack.

And of course, there's no charging port owners can use to recharge the battery pack from an external source.

There are a number of other efficiency-related changes from the gasoline-only version, including grille air shutters and a reduced ride height.

The hybrid Malibu also incorporates Chevy's first use of exhaust-gas heat recovery, which uses engine heat to help warm the cabin for faster warmup, more consistent fuel economy in cold weather, and greater overall efficiency.

Hybrids also get plenty of standard tech features, including the MyLink Radio system with 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a rearview camera.

The Malibu Hybrid competes with hybrid models of other mid-size sedans, including the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, and Toyota Camry.

In addition to the hybrid, Chevy will offer 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains in the Malibu.